Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 1.1 Jackson's Chameleons have a large outdoor enclosure where occasionally a few large Red Carpenter ants pass through. They don't bite or attack the Chameleons themselves, but the Chameleons attack them. Is there any health risk from them eating a few occasional ants?

I'm also hoping my female is gravid. What special care should I be giving her? More food? More water? More calcium? Is there a particular setting they prefer when giving birth? Thanks. Brooks

Most ants are high in formic acid which tastes bad. I don't see a big problem as the chams will either eat them or spit them out after tasting them. Be watchful though, a carpenter ant crawling around the cage at night could really chew on a sleeping cham. I would find ways to keep them out. You can put the cage up on legs and put the legs in pots of water.

You really do need to get the cage legs into water or (better) oil to keep the ants out. Once the ants lay a food trail you'll get more & more of them. If/when the females has babies the ants will kill them quickly. You'll also find that the ants will kill prey items in the cage. The problem will only get worse as summer approaches. If your cage doesn't have legs, go to a hardward store and buy some PVC tubing (4-6" diameter) to make 4 legs. Or you can use 4 bricks. Set the legs in bowls of water with a little oil added and then set the cage on the legs. That should keep the ants at bay.
Ed

Carlton took care of the ant question and here is some inof on the gravid question. Go to the article I linked below on the nutritional needs of a gravid female. While you are there seacrh thru their back and current issues for inof on breeding, laying, etc. This site is a great resource.

lele
Link

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0.1 veiled - Luna
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0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta